I have to admit I was looking forward to photographing the hand-carved marine creatures on King Triton’s Carousel with a 15mm fisheye lens. It just seemed like it would be great fun! I had photographed this colorful and beautiful carousel before with different lenses so I knew finding a subject was not going to be difficult. There are more than 50 whimsical depictions of marine life on the carousel that can be found along the California coastline. By using the fisheye lens and focusing up close, I was able to fill the photo with the subject and still see a lot of the carousel in the background. This made them appear even more playful than they normally look.

Here’s a fun bit of trivia : The term fisheye was coined in 1906 by American physicist and inventor Robert W. Woods. He based the term on how a fish would see an ultra-wide hemispherical view from beneath the water.

Robert Olszewski fans and collectors of the Walt Disney World Resort Main Street, U.S.A., collection take note, because the last piece to complete your series is debuting this August.

Some of you may have seen Jennifer Fickley-Baker’srecent post about fan-favorite Casey, who stands proudly in front of Casey’s Corner on Main Street, U.S.A., at Magic Kingdom Park. This beloved restaurant pays homage to the National Pastime of Baseball and serves up American cuisine like hot dogs, fries, corn dog nuggets, chili and more. Many of you may have even noticed that during your stay you can also enjoy the accompaniment of classic tunes by some of our extremely talented pianists.

It’s no wonder Miniaturist Robert Olszewski saved such a treasured location for his last building in the Main Street, U.S.A., series. Casey’s Corner will be available for $395, plus tax. Please note a limited number of sculptures will be available for the release.

So how can you make this piece your own? It’s easy! Robert Olszewski will be on hand for a special appearance and signing for the debut of this new piece August 23 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park and on August 24 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Not able to make it? The Casey’s Corner sculpture will be available to pre-purchase via Disney Event Services at 407-827-7600, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m, beginning July 29. All orders must be placed with Disney Event Services no later than Thursday, August 22 at 12 p.m. Tip: Pre-purchased pieces will be signed by the artist.

Anyone who covered Walt Disney World Resort for the news media between 1971 and 2005 knew Charlie Ridgway, a hard-charging newsman who made the leap from newspaper reporter to ace media legend as the head of Public Relations for Walt Disney World Resort.

Ridgway retired from Walt Disney World Resort, but his presence lives on in the Walt Disney World PR staff and throughout the world as his team of trained publicists have scattered far and wide. He was recognized as a prestigious “Disney Legend” in 1999, an award for extraordinary contributions to The Walt Disney Company.

For his 90th birthday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer proclaimed July 26, 2013, “Charles Ridgway Day” in the city of Orlando.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Charlie! Here’s his proclamation:

WHEREAS, on July 20, 1923, Charles Baxter Ridgway was born to Angie and Frank Ridgway in Chicago, Illinois, and

WHEREAS, Charles earned a degree in journalism and distinguished himself academically at The University of Missouri after serving in World War II, and

WHEREAS, Charles and his wife, Gretta, were married in April 1948, lived together in four states and one European country, and

WHEREAS, Charles is well known as a person of exceptional integrity, skill, intellectual prowess, honesty and loyalty, and an exceptional world traveler, and

WHEREAS, Charles wrote an article for the Los Angeles Mirror News featuring the highlights of the opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, which began his over 40 year career with The Walt Disney Company, and

WHEREAS, Charles educated and enlightened the journalists in the Central Florida community, the State of Florida, United States and worldwide, and was a life time member of the Society of American Travel Writers, and

WHEREAS, Charles and his Disney team of professionals wrote, created and managed the publicity for the opening of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in October 1971, including directing the photograph of the entire Disney cast in front of the castle for the October 15, 1971 LIFE magazine cover; EPCOT in October 1982; Disney-MGM Studios in May 1989; and Animal Kingdom in April 1998, and

WHEREAS, Charles was recognized in as a Disney Legend in 1999, a program recognizing people who have made an extraordinary and integral contribution to The Walt Disney Company, and

WHEREAS, Charles and his professional team managed the publicity for the opening of Euro Disney in April 1992, after having lived in Paris with his loving wife for a year, and collaborated on the opening day press booklet for Tokyo Disneyland in 1983 and Hong Kong Disneyland in September 2005, and

WHEREAS, Charles wrote Spinning Disney’s World, a collection of memories of working with Walt Disney and his company, which was published and sold beginning in 2007, and

WHEREAS, Charles’ family and friends, have arranged to come together to celebrate his 90th birthday,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BUDDY DYER, Mayor of the City of Orlando, hereby honor Charles B. Ridgway for his 90th birthday, and proclaim July 26, 2013 as

In Magic Kingdom Park, you’ll find four variations on the theme: a parfait-glass sundae at Plaza Restaurant that comes in either mint chocolate chip or vanilla-strawberry ($6.99 plus tax), or slightly smaller version of both at Plaza Ice Cream Cone Shop ($5.29 plus tax). Who can resist two scoops of ice cream drizzled with hot fudge, topped with whipped cream and adorned with chocolate cookie horns, a white chocolate eye “lollipop,” chocolate sprinkles and a fresh strawberry?

Both are perfect for Monstrous photo opportunities – and then digging in!

These funny sweets are our favorite part of Disney’s Monstrous Summer, featuring merchandise, food and beverages, and a monstrous lineup of attractions, shows and events, inspired by the Disney•Pixar comedy adventure “Monsters University.”

Heading to the Walt Disney World Resort this August? Here are a few events happening that I guarantee you won’t want to miss.

August 7-11: Popular Disney-inspired artist Greg McCullough will be on hand for an artist showcase at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace from 1 – 5 p.m. and 6 – 10 p.m., each day. Vacationing later in the month? That’s okay. Greg will also appear August 21–25 from 1 – 5 p.m. and 6 – 10 p.m. at Art of Disney in Epcot.

August 9–11: Game On! Join Disney Design Group Artist Quynh Kimball at Once Upon a Toy in Downtown Disney Marketplace for a game night. Quynh will be on hand from 6 – 9 p.m. to showcase some of the newest Disney Theme Park Edition board games including Monopoly, Scrabble and Memory, all of which were created with a Disney twist. This is a game night you won’t want to miss. Are you up for the challenge?

August 13: Calling all Traders! Disney Trading Night will take place from 6 – 9 p.m. at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. So if you are looking to meet avid and novice traders, make friends, or share stories about your collections, then this is the place for you. There will also be an opportunity to take part in a special product signing with artists from the Disney Design Group. Tip: Disney bus transportation will be running to and from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex until approximately 10 p.m.

Reminders: The specific location of Trading Night will be in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill Restaurant area, adjacent to the lobby. Space is extremely limited. Please limit the number of items that you choose to bring. The Product Preview Section and Artist Signing Area remain, but the Vinylmation team will not offer trading at their table. If you are in need of a snack while you trade, food & beverage concession areas will be open.

August 16–18: All dolled up! Precious Moments doll maker Linda Rick will be appearing (throughout the day) at Once Upon A Toy in the Downtown Disney Marketplace as she celebrates the release of her newest collection inspired by some of your favorite characters from The Hundred Acre Woods.

August 26-30:Larry Dotson will be appearing throughout the day at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Last but not least, there’s just a little over a month left to pick up your tickets to the 13 Reflections of Evil Trading Event. So be sure to get them now, the magic portal is about to close!

There are a few other events up our sleeve but no details on them yet. So be sure to keep an eye out on the Disney Parks Blog.

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As I have mentioned in past posts, the new spa’s nature-inspired theme harmonizes nicely with Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. As an Aquarius, the tranquil water elements of this rustic sanctuary really draw me in. I also like the sweet hummingbirds that are woven throughout the design, almost like Hidden Mickeys. According to the spa’s storyline, the hummingbird symbolizes peace, love and happiness, which I believe the spa will deliver with its host of rejuvenating and relaxing treatments. So come on in, or take a look at the newest images of Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.

Guests may call 407-WDW-SPAS to book an appointment or visit Disneyworld.com/spas for more information.

UPDATE: Click here for a complete list of attendees. If you are on the list and did not receive a confirmation email, please contact us at DLR.SportsMeetUps@disney.com. Please note that we will not be responding to questions via this email address. If you have questions, please ask them on the Disney Parks Blog, and we will do our best to answer them.

UPDATE: We have reached capacity! Thanks for everyone’s interest in the runDisney D2.3 Fun Run, and we appreciate your quick responses. At approximately 2 p.m. PT, we will send the meet-up attendees a confirmation email. If you are on the list and did not receive a confirmation email, please contact us at DLR.SportsMeetUps@disney.com. By 3 p.m. PT, we will post a link to the complete list of attendees. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for additional unique opportunities in the future.

The D23 Expo is kicking off with a few folks that know a thing or two about magical starts.

On Friday, August 9, runDisney will be hosting a 2.3-mile fun run for D23 Members. The morning event will lead runners down main streets and through castles in classic runDisney style. Of course, there will also be little pixie dust sprinkled along the way, so it’ll be an experience a runner won’t want to miss.

To RSVP, send your full name and D23 membership number to DLR.SportsMeetUps@Disney.com. Only a limited number of qualified D23 Members will be selected to participate, so be one of the first to apply.

All selected participants must be available for a 5:45 a.m. PT start time on Friday, August 9.

Qualified applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

A D23 membership number must be submitted at the time of application, and is non-transferable.

A valid photo ID is required. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Limit to one RSVP per individual. Applicants sending RSVPs from more than one email address will be disqualified.

Valid RSVPs must include your name. RSVPs that include more than one person or are missing information (e.g. incomplete names) will not be accepted.

Admittance to the event is non-transferable and limited to the selected applicant; no additional guests please.

The event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Because this is a running-oriented event, we require that applicants be experienced runners, able to maintain a 12-minute per mile pace (qualified).

Selected applicants attending the meet-up are not required to purchase admission.

We will send an email to selected applicants who sent their valid RSVP via email before we reached capacity to confirm their attendance for Friday. We plan to send this email at approximately 2 p.m. PT today, and we will also post a link on the Disney Parks Blog that will include a list of names of all selected applicants. If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation and your name does not appear on the list of selected applicants, your RSVP was not selected.

Listen up, “World of Color” fans! Since it’s “Christmas in July” week here at Disney Parks, it’s the perfect time for some exciting holiday-time news. Check out the video below for a special announcement from Steve Davison, vice president of Parades and Spectaculars, Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment, who has very exciting news to share about the “so wonderful, so beautiful” nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure park. Disney Parks Blog readers got to know Steve back in 2010 as he provided regular updates on the “World of Color” as it was in development. He’ll be joining us again, updating us on this exciting news that he’s about to reveal. What is it? Watch the video and find out!

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